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Carla J. Herman, MD, MPH¹, Janice L. Thompson, PhD, FACSM², Venita Wolfe, BA³, Novaline Wilson, MPH³, Ayn Whyte, BS³, Georgia Perez³, and Peg Allen, MPH¹. (1) Geriatrics Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, 1720 Louisiana Blvd. NE, Suite 312, Albuquerque, NM 87110, 505-272-8465, cherman@salud.unm.edu, (2) Department of Exercise and Health Sciences, Centre for Sport, Exercise and Health, The University of Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TP, United Kingdom, (3) Office of Native American Diabetes Programs, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, 1720 Louisiana Blvd. NE, Suite 312, Albuquerque, NM 87110

Background: Native Americans experience higher rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes and related health complications as compared to the general U.S. population.

Methods: We recruited 200 volunteer urban Native American women aged 18-40 from the general community for a diabetes primary prevention program. The culturally guided intervention consisted of 5-monthly group sessions on healthful eating, physical activity, goal setting and social support. The 100 women randomized to the intervention group completed the curriculum between baseline and 6-month measures. Measures included fasting blood glucose, insulin and lipid profiles, body composition, self-reported dietary intake and physical activity, and a submaximal bicycle fitness test.

Results: Mean±SD age, weight, body mass index and %body fat were 29.3±6.6 yr, 77.2±17.3 kg, 29.4±6.3 kg/m ²and 41.2±6.4%; 40.0% were obese (BMI ³ 30.0 kg/m²) and an additional 32.5% were overweight (BMI 25.0 –29.9 kg/m²). Mean changes at 6-months compared to baseline showed intervention group women significantly lowered their fasting blood glucose and resting diastolic blood pressure and had improved dietary and physical activity patterns as compared to control group women (p<0.05). Among overweight women (BMI ³ 25.0 kg/m²), more intervention women lost weight between baseline and 6-months than control women (58.1% versus 39.3%, p=.04), although mean weight loss was <5% of baseline body weight.

Conclusions: Women were able to reduce some risk factors for type 2 diabetes by participating in a primary prevention program. A formal exercise component could enhance efficacy.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the randomized controlled trial study design to test efficacy of a primary prevention intervention to reduce risk factors for type 2 diabetes.
• Identify 4 components of the healthy lifestyles intervention.
• Discuss strategies to enhance effectiveness of low-intensive healthy lifestyles interventions.

Keywords: American Indians, Primary Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered